Photographic camera system

ABSTRACT

A photographic camera system includes a photographic camera that can successively expose a photographic film in different frame sizes and an automatic printer for automatically printing the processed photographic film exposed with those different frame sizes. The camera varies the width of an exposure opening in the camera body in the film-feed direction and the film is fed a length corresponding to the width of the exposure opening. The photographic camera magnetically or optically records an exposure opening position signal indicative of the size of the exposure opening on the photographic film, and the automatic printer automatically prints the photographic film using the magnetically or optically recorded exposure opening position signal detected from the photographic film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No.08/026,415 filed Mar. 4, 1993, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a photographic camera system forproducing pictures having various frame sizes, and more particularly toa photographic camera using a specialized photographic film and a filmprinting device for printing the processed photographic film having asuccession of frames of different sizes that have been photographed bythe camera.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND

The photographic film that is in the most widespread use today is 35-mmfilm (system 135) as provided for by Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)and International Organization of Standardization (IOS).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,908 describes a photographic camera and a filmtherefor, with the film being of a 35-mm size devoid of sprocket holesof the size used in present 35-mm films and having an effective imagearea of about 30 mm across the film, thereby providing an increasedeffective usable film area.

More specifically, ignoring dimensional tolerances, present 35-mm filmsfor use in general photography have a width of 35 mm between oppositelongitudinal edges and include a series of film-transport perforationsor sprocket holes defined along the opposite longitudinal edges of thefilm. The film-transport perforations are spaced 25 mm across the filmand have a pitch of 4.75 mm. Frames on such a present 35-mm film are ofa rectangular shape having a width of 25 mm across the film and a lengthof 36 mm along the film. The frames have a pitch of 38 mm, which iseight times larger than the pitch of the film-transport perforations.

As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,908, some modern photographic filmcameras are electronically controlled to provide motor-driven operationwith high accuracy, and it has been experimentally confirmed that thefilm can be transported quite accurately without requiring the largesprocket wheels and film perforations that are found in most presentcameras and films. In the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,908,the film-transport perforations are not present in the 35-mmphotographic film, thereby increasing the available frame width acrossthe film up to the regions where such film-transport perforations werelocated. The proposed film thus has an increased effective image areafor improved image quality. This patent describes four sizes that areavailable for frames that can be exposed on a 35-mm film free offilm-transport perforations.

According to one size, a frame that can be exposed in an effective imagearea of the 35-mm film has a width of 30 mm across the film and a lengthof 40 mm along the film. The frames of such a size have a pitch of 42.0mm, for example. The frame size and pitch are selected to matchspecifications of the present television broadcasting system, forexample, the NTSC system. Therefore, the frames have an aspect ratio of3:4.

Another frame size described in that patent is based on High-DefinitionTelevision (HDTV) specifications, in which frames have a width of 30 mmand a length of 53.3 mm and a pitch of 57.75 mm, for example. The aspectratio of the frames having that size is 9:16.

The above-mentioned frame sizes are full-frame sizes, and the other twoframe sizes are half-frame sizes. According to one of the half-framesizes, frames have a width of 30 mm and a length of 22.5 mm and a pitchof 26.2 mm, for example, to match present television broadcasting systemspecifications. According to the other half-frame size, frames have awidth of 30 mm and a length of 16.9 mm and a pitch of 21.0 mm, forexample, to match HDTV specifications.

Film with the above four frame formats is stored in the same filmcartridge as presently available 35-mm film.

Because the frames in either of the above frame formats have a width of30 mm, there are unexposed areas of about 2.5 mm between the frames andalong the opposite longitudinal edges of the film. These unexposed areasmay be used to keep the film flat, control the film, and write and readdata when taking pictures.

The proposed camera may be relatively small and lightweight, because itdoes not require film-transport sprocket wheels.

Films that are actually collected in processing laboratories areprocessed either simultaneously in a batch or individually. In asimultaneous batch process, several thousand films are processed perhour at a high rate to realize economics of scale for reducing theprinting cost. Specifically, a plurality of exposed films are collectedin the processing laboratory and are spliced end to end to form a long,continuous film strip, which is then stored in a film magazine andsubsequently processed.

If the films that are spliced into the continuous strip contain framesexposed in different frame formats, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,049,908, then the long single film stored in the film magazinecontains different frame sizes, thereby making printing a problem.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,384,774 and 5,066,971 propose cameras capable ofswitching between half and full frame sizes at the time the film isexposed. When film exposed using these proposed cameras is spliced intoa long, single, film strip for simultaneous batch processing, thecontinuous film strip also contains different frame sizes.

The processing laboratories are therefore required to form notchesindicative of frame centers for automatically printing spliced filmswith different frame sizes after they are developed. For example, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,591, a human operator manually notchesa side edge of a spliced film and, hence, the notches are required tocontrol the feed of the film. With the disclosed process, it isimpossible to process several thousand films per hour, however, the costof processing exposed film is relatively high. As a consequence, filmswith different frame sizes may not be accepted by processinglaboratories in Japan.

Many processing laboratories all over the world also do not accept filmswith frames exposed in half size because they do not want differentframe sizes to be contained in a single spliced film that is stored in asingle film magazine for subsequent processing and printing. Thisproblem arises because the different frame sizes can be recognized onlyafter the film has been developed. One solution would be to applymarking seals to exposed films so that the films of different framesizes thereof can be distinguished and sorted out for individualprocessing and printing. Nevertheless, use of marking seals would notessentially solve the problem, because it would be difficult to supplysuch marking seals consistently over a number of years.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide avariable frame size photographic system that can eliminate theabove-noted drawbacks inherent in prior proposed systems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a photographiccamera that can expose a photographic film in different frame sizes asdesired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographicfilm printer for automatically printing successive photographic films,even if they contain different frame sizes.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aphotographic camera system including a photographic camera having acamera body, a first housing disposed in the camera body for housing aphotographic film cartridge, a second housing disposed in the camerabody for housing a photographic film drawn from the photographic filmcartridge, a film feed device disposed in the camera body for feedingthe photographic film between the first and second housings, an exposuredevice disposed in the camera body for exposing an exposure area of thephotographic film fed by the film feed device to an image of a subjectbetween the first and second housings, and a recording device disposedin the camera body for optically or magnetically recording an exposureposition control signal indicative of a position where the photographicfilm is to be exposed by the exposure device on the photographic film.The photographic camera system also includes a photographic film printerhaving a printer body, a detecting device disposed on the printer bodyfor detecting the exposure position control signal that was optically ormagnetically recorded on the photographic film, a film feed controldevice disposed on the printer body for controlling feeding of thephotographic film based on the exposure position control signal detectedby the detecting device, and a printing device disposed on the printerbody for varying an opening width of a mask that is used to print theimage of the subject in the exposure area of the photographic film on aprint paper, depending on the exposure position control signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a photographic camera including a first housing for housing aphotographic film cartridge, a second housing for housing a photographicfilm drawn from the photographic film cartridge, a film feed device forfeeding the photographic film between the first and second housings, anexposure device for exposing an exposure area of the photographic filmfed by the film feed device to an image of a subject, and a recordingdevice for optically or magnetically recording an exposure positioncontrol signal indicative of a position where the photographic film isto be exposed by the exposure device on the photographic film.

In another aspect the present invention provides a photographic cameraincluding a camera body, a first housing disposed in the camera body forhousing a photographic film cartridge, a second housing disposed in thecamera body for housing a photographic film drawn from the photographicfilm cartridge, a film feed device disposed in the camera body forfeeding the photographic film between the first and second housings, anexposure device disposed in the camera body for varying a width in whichthe photographic film is exposed to an image of a subject in a directionin which the photographic film is fed by the film feed device, betweenthe first and second housings, and a control unit disposed in the camerabody for controlling the film feed device to feed the photographic filmfor a length corresponding to an increase in the width, at least whenthe width of the frame is increased.

The present invention in another aspect also provides a photographicfilm printer including a printer body, a detecting device disposed onthe printer body for detecting an exposure position control signal thatwas optically or magnetically recorded on a photographic film, a filmfeed control unit disposed on the printer body for controlling feedingof the photographic film based on the exposure position control signaldetected by the detecting device, and a printing device disposed on theprinter body for varying an opening width of the mask that is used toprint an image of a subject in an exposure area of the photographic filmon a print paper, depending on the exposure position control signal.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description ofillustrative embodiments thereof to be read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent thesame or similar objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a 35-mm film that hasbeen exposed using a 35-mm photographic camera according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of another 35-mm filmthat has been exposed using an embodiment of the 35-mm photographiccamera of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are elevational views of 35-mm film cartridges that canbe used in one embodiment of the 35-mm photographic camera of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are elevational views of 35-mm film cartridges that canbe used in another embodiment of the 35-mm photographic camera of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the 35-mm photographic camera ofone embodiment of the present invention with a rear lid removed;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of an inner surface of a rear lid of the35-mm photographic camera of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII--VII of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system for one embodiment of the35-mm photographic camera according to the present invention using thefilm of FIGS. 3A and 3B;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the 35-mm photographic camera ofanother embodiment of the present invention with the rear lid removed;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the camera shownin FIG. 7;

FIGS. 11A through 11E are fragmentary front elevational views showingthe positional relationships of frames exposed on a 35-mm film using theembodiment of the 35-mm photographic camera according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control system for the other embodimentof the 35-mm photographic camera according to the present inventionusing the film of FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of an automatic printer for printing onphotosensitive paper a processed 35-mm film that was exposed using theembodiment of the 35-mm photographic camera according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a control system used in the embodiment ofthe automatic printer shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a control system for another embodiment ofthe printer according to the present invention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are fragmentary front elevational views showing therelationship between a 35-mm film and sensors in the automatic printershown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an operating method that is performed by amicroprocessor of the control system shown in FIG. 14;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are representative of the relative sizes ofnegative-carrier variable slits in the automatic printer;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are representations showing the relative sizes ofvariable paper masks in the automatic printer;

FIG. 20 is a rear elevational view of a 35-mm photographic camera with arear lid removed, according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 21 is a rear elevational view of a 35-mm photographic camera with arear lid removed, according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A 35-mm photographic film 1 that can be used in a 35-mm photographiccamera according to the present invention is described with reference toFIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, in which FIGS. 1 and 2 show 35-mm photographicfilm 1 after it has been exposed, and FIGS. 3A and 3B show 35-mmphotographic film 1 before being exposed.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the 35-mm photographic film 1 is stored ina film cartridge 16 and has an end extending out of the film cartridge16. Images that are photographed on the 35-mm photographic film 1 areturned upside down by the lenses, so that the upper end of an image ispositioned on a lower portion of the photographic film 1. FIG. 3B showsby way of example a photographed image of a subject in broken lines,which appears to be turned upside down on the photographic film 1.

Each of the photographic films 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B has aseries of film position detecting holes 19 defined along an unexposedmarginal edge area thereof, which has a width of about 2.5 mm. Thisunexposed marginal area is used to control the film, to read data, andto write data when taking a picture. The film position detecting holes19 have a diameter of about 1 mm and are spaced at a constant,predetermined pitch. The pitch of the film position detecting holes 19in the photographic film 1 shown in FIG. 1 is 5.25 mm, for example, andthe pitch of the film position detecting holes 19 in the photographicfilm 1 shown in FIG. 2 is 6.28 mm.

The film position detecting holes 19 can be replaced by magnetic marks19' spaced at a predetermined constant pitch and made by a suitablemagnetic head on a magnetic edge portion 19" formed on the unexposedfilm. The magnetic marks 19' are shown as broken lines on the magneticstrip 19" in FIGS. 4A and 4B, because they are not actually visable.Alternatively, the marks 19' could be formed as small dots of magneticmaterial, such as iron oxide, deposited on the unexposed film anddetected by the magnetic head.

Distances by which the different photographic films 1 with the filmposition detecting holes 19 or magnetic marks 19' spaced at the pitchesof 5.25 mm and 6.28 mm are advanced to feed frames of different framesizes are given in Table 1 below.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Frame sizes (Width ×                                                                   Pitch - 6.28 mm                                                                            Pitch = 5.25 mm                                   length)                                                                       NTSC-matched frame                                                                                     43.96 = 6.28 × 7                                                            42.0 = 5.25 × 8                            size (30 mm × 40                                                                              pitches                                                                                                 pitches                       mm), full size                                                                HDTV-matched frame                                                                                     56.52 = 6.28 × 9                                                            57.75 = 5.25 × 11                          size (30 mm × 53.3                                                                          pitches                     pitches                       mm), full size                                                                HDTV-matched frame                                                                                     18.84 = 6.28 × 3                                                            21.0 = 5.25 × 4                            size (30 mm × 16.9                                                                          pitches                     pitches                       mm), half size                                                                NTSC-matched frame                                                                                     25.12 = 6.28 × 4                                                            26.25 - 5.25 × 5                           size (30 mm × 22.5                                                                               pitches                                                                                              pitches                       mm), half size                                                                ______________________________________                                    

The photographic film 1 shown in FIG. 3A has film position detectingholes 19 that will be positioned along an upper marginal edge area afterthe photographic film is exposed, however, no tongue is provided at theleading end, so that no tongue-removing process will subsequently berequired. Because no tongue-removing process will be required, thesubsequent processing of the photographic film 1 is less costly. Thisapplies to the film shown in FIG. 4A as well.

The photographic film 1 shown in FIG. 3B also has film positiondetecting holes 19 that will be positioned in an upper marginal edgearea thereof after the photographic film is exposed, and has a tongue atits leading end on its lower portion. The tongue at the leading end ofthe photographic film 1 is vertically opposite in position to the tongueof an ordinary 35-mm photographic film that is now generallycommercially available. If a photocoupler is used in a photographiccamera for detecting the film position detecting holes 19, then when thephotographic film 1 is loaded into the photographic camera, the marginaledge with the film position detecting holes 19 is not required to bemanually inserted into the photocoupler, but is automatically insertedinto the photocoupler when the photographic film 1 is wound by a filmtransport mechanism in the photographic camera. This also applies to thefilm shown in FIG. 4B.

An embodiment of a photographic camera that can use the photographicfilms 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B is shown and described withreference to FIGS. 5 through 8 and 10. FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of thephotographic camera with the rear lid or cover removed. The lid is shownin FIG. 6. The photographic camera has a dark box 4 including acartridge housing 17 for housing the film cartridge 16, which is of aknown structure, an exposure opening 7 near the cartridge housing 17 andthrough which the photographic film 1 can be exposed to light passingthrough a camera lens, aperture, and shutter not shown in FIG. 5, and afilm housing 18 for housing the photographic film 1 after it has beenexposed.

The photographic film 1 that is unwound from the film cartridge 16housed in the cartridge housing 17 is fed over the exposure opening 7while being transversely limited in motion by upper and lower respectivepairs of film guides 30, 31, and is then moved into the film housing 18after being exposed.

The film housing 18 has a guide roller 32 for automatically setting orloading the photographic film 1, and a film takeup spool 9 rotatable bya motor, shown at 10 in FIG. 8, for winding the exposed photographicfilm 1 thereon.

The photographic camera has a light-emitting diode (LED) 5a positionedbetween the lower film guides 30, 31 for detecting the film positiondetecting holes 19, and a photodetector, shown in FIG. 6 at 5b, disposedon a pressure plate of the rear lid and positioned in registry with theLED 5a across the photographic film 1. The photodetector 5b has adiameter of 1.5 mm, for example.

The LED 5a emits infrared radiation having a wavelength of 940 nm, whichis different from those radiation wavelengths to which the photographicfilm 1 is sensitive. Referring to FIG. 8, the LED 5a and thephotodetector 5b jointly make up a hole sensor 5 that applies an outputsignal to a counter in a system controller 8 that comprises amicrocomputer. In this way, the system controller 8 can recognize theposition of the photographic film 1 over the exposure opening 7. The LED5a and the photodetector 5b may be alternatively replaced with aphotocoupler that also comprises an LED and a photodetector but whichare positioned in confronting relationship, as described hereinbelow.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9 the LED 5a can be replaced by amagnetic head 5c that operates to sense the magnetic marks 19', shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, that are on the marginal edge area 19" of the unexposedfilm.

In FIG. 5, the exposure area opening 7 has its size defined by left andright movable masks 15 that are laterally movable over the width of theexposure opening 7 from opposite sides thereof. The size of the exposureopening 7 in the longitudinal direction of the photographic film 1 canselectively be changed to four different dimensions of 53.33 mm, 40.00mm, 22.5 mm, and 16.90 mm as indicated by the four pairs of broken linesin FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the left and right movable masks 15 areretractable into left and right side walls, respectively, that arepositioned on opposite sides of the exposure opening 7 and extendsubstantially perpendicularly to the photographic film 1 as it extendsover the exposure opening 7. As shown in FIG. 8, two linear toothed bars33 are attached to the respective lower edges of the movable masks 15and held in mesh with respective drive feed gears 34 of a gearbox 35,much like a rack and pinion assembly. When the gears 34 of the gearbox35 are driven to rotate the linear toothed bars 33, and hence themovable masks 15, are linearly moved over the exposure opening 7.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the photographic camera has a frame sizesetting switch 6 which can manually be turned by the user of the camerato produce a command signal indicative of a selected frame size which isone of the frame sizes described above in Table 1. When the user selectsa frame size with the frame size setting switch 6, the frame sizesetting switch 6 applies a command signal to the system controller 8,which then supplies a control signal to achieve the desired frame sizethrough a stepping motor driving circuit 13 to a stepping motor 14. Thestepping motor 14 is energized to rotate the feed gears 34 to move themovable masks 15. At the same time that the movable masks 15 move, thehole sensor 5 produces and supplies a detected film position signal tothe system controller 8, which processes the supplied film positionsignal to generate a control signal. The system controller 8 thensupplies the control signal through an amplifier 36 to a motor 10, whichrotates the film spool 9 to take-up the photographic film 1 over apredetermined length.

At this time, the length over which the photographic film 1 is drivencorresponds to the distance that is determined by the frame size settingswitch 6. The feeding of the photographic film 1 is described below withreference to FIGS. 11A through 11E, which show examples in which thehole pitch is 6.28 mm and the photographic film 1 is to be exposed in anHDTV-matched full-frame size of 30 mm×53.3 mm and an NTSC-matchedfull-frame size of 30 mm×40 mm.

FIG. 11A shows a portion of the photographic film 1 as it is exposed insuccessive NTSC-matched full frames. When the photographic film 1 is fedfor seven pitches of the holes 19, a frame area of 30 mm×40 mm is madeavailable for exposure through the exposure opening 7. To switch from anNTSC-matched full-frame size to an HDTV-matched full-frame size, thephotographic film 1 is fed for eight pitches of the holes 19, as shownin FIG. 11B, to make a frame area of 30 mm×53.3 mm available forexposure through the exposure opening 7. To expose the photographic film1 in successive HDTV-matched full frames, the photographic film 1 is fedfor nine pitches of the holes 19, as shown in FIG. 11C, to make a framearea of 30 mm×53.3 mm available for exposure through the exposureopening 7. To switch from an HDTV-matched full-frame size to anNTSC-matched full-frame size, the photographic film 1 is fed for eightpitches of the holes 19, as shown in FIG. 11D, to make a frame area of30 mm×40 mm available for exposure through the exposure opening 7.

To change frame sizes, the system controller 8 controls the motor 10 asfollows: When switching from an NTSC-matched full-frame size to anHDTV-matched full-frame size, the photographic film 1 is first drivenfor seven pitches of the holes 19 and is then driven for one additionalhole pitch. When switching from an HDTV-matched full-frame size to anNTSC-matched full-frame size, the photographic film 1 is first drivenforward for nine pitches of the holes 19 and is then driven backward forone pitch.

When changing frame sizes, the photographic film 1 may be driven for adifferent distance or a different number of pitches, such as ten pitchesof the holes 19, as shown in FIG. 11E. In this manner, the photographicfilm 1 may be easily exposed in many different frame sizes.

As shown in FIGS. 11A through 11E, the system controller of thephotographic camera controls the feeding of the photographic film 1 suchthat the photographic film 1 will not be exposed in overlapping frames,even when different frame sizes are exposed.

The procedure described in relation to FIGS. 11A-11E applies equally tothe magnetic marks 19' present on the film shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the photographic film 1 whose effectiveexposure areas have been exposed in frames 3 of different sizes. In FIG.1, the photographic film 1 has been exposed in an HDTV-matchedfull-frame size, having a width of 30 mm, a length of 53.3 mm, andaspect ratio of 9:16, and in an NTSC-matched full-frame size, having awidth of 30 mm, a length of 40 mm) whose aspect ratio is 3:4. The holes19 defined along the upper marginal edge of the photographic film 1 havea pitch of 5.25 mm.

In FIG. 2, the photographic film 1 has also been exposed in anHDTV-matched full-frame size and an NTSC-matched full-frame size,however, unlike FIG. 1, the holes 19 defined in the upper marginal edgeof the photographic film 1 have a pitch of 6.28 mm. In FIG. 2, one frameof an HDTV-matched full-frame size corresponds to nine pitches of theholes 19, and one frame of an NTSC-matched full-frame size correspondsto seven pitches of the holes 19. Since these pitches are odd-numbered,a hole 19 may be positioned in alignment with the center of the frame,so that the center of the frame can easily be detected.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the photographic camera has a shutter releasebutton 37. When the shutter release button 37 is depressed, the systemcontroller 8 controls the size of the exposure area and supplies acontrol signal to a mark recording circuit 38 for recording a centralmark, a so-called effective exposure area position signal, indicative ofthe center of the frame 3 and also supplies a control signal to a framenumber recording circuit 39 for recording a frame number. The markrecording circuit 38 energizes an LED 40 positioned at the lowerfilm-guide pair 30, 31 for recording a central mark 40a, shown in FIGS.1 and 2, representing the center of the exposed frame 3. The framenumber recording circuit 39 energizes an LED 41 positioned at the lowerfilm guide pair 30, 31 for recording a frame number 41a, shown in FIGS.1 and 2, representing the frame number of the exposed frame 3. The framenumber 41a can be recorded such that it agrees with an actual framenumber.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12 in place of LED 40 a magnetic head40' can be employed to record the center mark on the marginal area 19"on the unexposed film. Similarly, the frame number can be recorded usinganother magnetic head 41'.

The system controller 8 also supplies a control signal to a frame sizerecording circuit 11 for recording a frame size signal, a so-calledeffective exposure area width signal, indicative of the frame size ofthe exposed frame 3. The frame size recording circuit 11 energizes anLED 12 positioned at the lower film guide pair 30, 31 for recording aframe size signal 12a, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, in place of LED 12 a magnetic head12' can be employed to record the frame size signal on the marginal area19" on the unexposed film.

The magnetic head 5c that senses the magnetic marks 19' on the filmshown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is connected to the system controller 8 througha buffer amplifier 5d or a similar playback amplifier.

The LED 12 may be composed of four LED elements which are selectivelyenergized to record one of the frame size signals 12a, which representthe frame size set by the frame size setting switch 6. The various framesize signals 12a are shown by way of example in Table 2 below.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Frame Size        Frame size signal 12a                                       ______________________________________                                        HDTV-matched full-frame size                                                                    | | | |                 NTSC-matched full-frame size                                                                     | | |                           NTSC-matched half-frame size                                                                     | |                                      HDTV-matchcd half-frame size                                                                     |                                                 ______________________________________                                    

The central mark 40a and the frame size signal 12a supply informationregarding the frame position and the frame size to an automatic printer,described hereinbelow, for controlling the automatic printer when theexposed and processed film is printed.

While frame sizes can be recognized by measuring the distances betweenadjacent central marks a when the exposed film is printed, theprocessing speed of the automatic printer can be increased by using theframe size signal 12a.

At the same time that the photographic film 1 is exposed, the systemcontroller 8 supplies an information signal to an information recordingcircuit 42 for recording desired information. The information recordingcircuit 42 energizes an LED 43 positioned at the upper film guide pair30, 31 for recording such information 43a on the lower marginal edge,shown in see FIGS. 1 and 2, of the photographic film 1. The information43a may be information that is supplied from the camera lens and thecamera itself upon exposure or could consist of the exposure date, theperson who took the picture, an exposure condition, or other informationthat the user has entered through an input device 44, such as a keypad,on the outer surface of the rear lid of the camera body 10. The amountof information 43a, that is, the number of characters that can berecorded, is dependent upon the frame size, and is displayed on adisplay panel 44a of the input device 44. The LED 43 has a number of LEDelements that are selectively energized depending on the frame size.

An analysis has been made to determine the optimum position where theinformation 43a should be recorded and the optimum position where theholes 19 or magnetic marks 19' are defined from the standpoints of theuser's convenience and a psychological effect that those positions haveon the user. The results of the analysis are as follows:

(1) If marginal edges outside of the effective exposure area of the filmare available as a band for recording user's information, then theinformation should more preferably be positioned on the lower marginaledge of the print paper, rather than on the upper marginal edge.

(2) Study of the developing and printing processes in processinglaboratories indicates that in many cases information about the filmitself is printed in many cases on film negatives, such that the filminformation will be positioned on the upper marginal edge of the printpaper. It is preferable not to mix the film information and the band forrecording user's information.

From the above results, it is preferable to position the film positiondetecting holes 19 upwardly of the effective exposure area of the filmwhen it is exposed.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8, the photographiccamera according to the present invention has a detecting means 5a, 5bfor detecting the feeding of the photographic film 1, a film controlsystem 8, 9, 10 for controlling the distance by which the photographicfilm 1 moves and for driving the photographic film 1 for a lengthcorresponding to the width of the selected exposure opening 7, based ona detected signal from the detecting means 5a, 5b, and for controlling asignal recording device 8, 11, 12, 38, 40 disposed near the exposureopening 7 for recording a signal indicative of the position of theexposure opening 7 on the photographic film 1 when the photographic film1 is exposed through the exposure opening 7.

After the photographic film 1 is exposed using the photographic camera,the processed photographic film 1 bears control signals that arerecorded in a signal recording area 21, shown in see FIG. 1, thereof andthat will be used when the photographic film 1 is printed. Therefore,even if the developed photographic film 1 contains frames of differentframe sizes, it can be automatically printed by an automatic printerwithout requiring individual adjustment.

The photographic camera according to the present invention also has afilm control system 8, 9, 10 for controlling the feeding or driving ofthe photographic film 1, and an opening control system 8, 13, 14, 15 forvarying the width of the exposure opening 7 along the photographicfilm 1. At least when the width of the exposure opening 7 changes from asmaller dimension to a larger dimension, the film control system 8, 9,10 drives the photographic film 1 for a length corresponding to theselected width of the exposure opening 7.

Therefore, the width of the exposure opening 7 is variable, and thetake-up or driving of the photographic film 1 is controlled depending onthe width of the exposure opening 7. The photographic camera can exposethe photographic film 1 successively in desired frame sizes which maydiffer one from another without adjacent frames overlapping each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic film 1 used in the photographiccamera according to the present invention has a signal recording area 21located between an effective exposure area 20 and a marginal edgethereof for magnetically or optically recording control signals, whichwill be used when the photographic film 1 is processed and printed. Thefilm 1 has holes 19 or magnetic marks 19' defined in an upper marginaledge area thereof between the effective exposure area 20 and themarginal edge for detecting the distance by which the photographic film1 has been moved.

As shown in FIG. 13, an automatic printer for automatically printingprocessed photographic film 1 that has been exposed using a camera asdescribed above has a printer body that supports a paper supply reel 45for supplying the sensitized print paper 46, a paper deck or platen 47for supporting the print paper 46 supplied from the paper supply reel45, a variable paper mask 48 for determining the size of a print papersegment on which an image is to be printed, a paper holder plate 49 forholding the print paper 46 down against the paper deck 47, a paper feedor drive roller 50 for driving the print paper 46, and a paper takeupreel 51 for winding the exposed print paper 46.

The printer body of the automatic printer also supports a film supplyreel 52 for supplying the processed photographic film 1, a film deck orplaten 53 for supporting the photographic film 1 supplied from the filmsupply reel 52, a negative-carrier variable slit 54, a negative holderplate 55 for positioning the negative down against the film deck 53, afilm feed or drive roller 56 for driving the photographic film 1, a filmtakeup reel 57 for winding the exposed and processed photographic film1, a lens 58 positioned above the negative holder plate 55, a bellows 59supporting the lens 58 and positioned below the paper deck 47, a lamp 60disposed below the film deck 53, a black shutter 61 positioned above thelamp 60, a filter assembly 62 composed of yellow, magenta, and cyan (Y,M, C) filters, and a diffusion box 63 disposed between the filterassembly 62 and the film deck 53.

The negative holder plate 55 supports a frame size sensor S1 fordetecting the frame size signal 12a recorded on the photographic film 1and a frame center sensor S2 for detecting the central mark 40a recordedon the photographic film 1 that indicates the center of a frame.

Upon detection of the central mark 40a of the frame 3 with the framecenter sensor S2, the film drive roller 56 is controlled to drive thefilm to align the frame center with the center of the negative-carriervariable slit 54. The variable paper mask 48 and the negative-carriervariable slit 54 are controlled based on the frame size signal 12a thatis detected by the frame size sensor S1.

If the frame size is an HDTV-matched frame size, for example, thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to dimensions as shown in FIG.18A, and the variable paper mask 48 is set to dimensions as shown inFIG. 19A. If the frame size is an NTSC-matched frame size, for example,the negative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to dimensions as shown inFIG. 18B, and the variable paper mask 48 is set to dimensions as shownin FIG. 19B.

A control system for the automatic printer is shown in FIG. 14, in whichthe frame size sensor S1 and the frame center sensor S2 comprisephotocouplers, respectively, for detecting the frame size signal 12a andthe central mark 40a, respectively, that are recorded in the marginaledge area of the photographic film 1.

On the other hand, the optical sensors S1 and S2 may be comprised ofrespective magnetic heads S1' and S2', as shown in FIG. 15, that readthe frame size signal and the frame center signal that are magneticallyrecorded on the marginal area 19" of the unexposed film.

The frame center is determined based on the central mark 40a detected bythe frame center sensor S2, and the frame size of the frame 3 whoseframe center is determined by a microprocessor 64 of the control systembased on the frame size signal 12a that is read by the frame size sensorS1 before the central mark 40a is detected by the frame center sensorS2. Then, the microprocessor 64 controls a mask size drive motor M3 toactuate the variable paper mask 48 to conform with the determined framesize. At the same time, the microprocessor 64 controls anegative-carrier variable slit drive motor M2 to actuate thenegative-carrier variable slit 54.

Based on the frame size signal 12A read by the frame size sensor S1, themicroprocessor 64 controls a film feed motor M1 to rotate the film feelroller 56 for feeding the photographic film 1 for a predeterminedlength. At the same time, the microprocessor 64 controls a paper feedmotor M4 to rotate the paper feed roller 50 for thereby feeding theprint paper 46 for a predetermined length.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the relationship between the photographic film 1,the frame center sensor S2, and the frame size sensor S1 in theautomatic printer. When the photographic film 1 is driven in thedirection indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 16A, a frame size indicator12a is detected by the frame size sensor S1 before its frame 3 ispositioned and the sensor S1 output signal is used for controlling thedriving of the photographic film 1, the negative-carrier variable slit54, and the variable paper mask 48. The frame size signal from sensor S1is processed by the microprocessor 64, which determines the frame sizewhen the frame center of the frame 3 is determined by the frame centersensor S2.

As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the central mark 40A indicative of aframe center is recorded at each frame on the photographic film 1. Ateach frame, the frame size indicator 12a is recorded ahead of thecentral mark 40a, and the frame number 41a is recorded behind thecentral mark 40a with respect to the direction in which the photographicfilm 1 is driven.

While the frame center sensor S2 and the frame size sensor S1 are shownas being located in substantially the same position, only the framecenter sensor S2 should be positioned in alignment with the center ofthe negative-carrier variable slit 54 and the variable paper mask 48,and the frame size sensor S1 may be positioned on the film deck 53 atthe entrance end thereof. This applies to the magnetic head sensors S1'and S2' as well.

FIG. 17 shows a control sequence of the microprocessor 64 forcontrolling the driving of the developed photographic film or negative 1and the driving of the print paper 46. The negative-carrier variableslit 4 and the variable paper mask 48 are also controlled in thiscontrol sequence. The photographic film 1 is continuously driven andtaken up until the central mark 40a is detected by the frame centersensor S2, and then the photographic film 1 is stopped when the centralmark 40a is detected by the frame center sensor S2. Until thephotographic film 1 is stopped, the frame size indicator 12a is detectedby the frame size sensor S1 and its number is counted.

If the frame size indicator 12a represents "3", the width of thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to 38 mm, and the width of thevariable paper mask 48 is set to 119 mm. Thereafter, the print paper 46is moved, and the photographic film 1 is printed, after which thecontrol sequence is ended. The print paper 46 is moved for a distancecorresponding to printed frame sizes, a blank surrounding the printedframes, and a cutting blank between the printed frames. Usually, a holeis defined in the cutting blank when the photographic film 1 is printed,and serves as a positional signal for automatically cutting the printpaper.

If the frame size indicator 12a represents "4", the width of thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 is set to 51 mm, and the width of thevariable paper mask 48 is set to 158 mm. Thereafter, the print paper 46is moved, and the photographic film 1 is printed, after which thecontrol sequence is ended.

If the frame size indicator 12a represents "1" or "2", the widths of thenegative-carrier variable slit 54 and the variable paper mask 48 are setsimilarly. Thereafter, the print paper 46 is moved, and the photographicfilm 1 is printed, after which the control sequence is ended.

Since the frame size indicator 12a is recorded in the upper marginaledge portion of the photographic film 1, it may possibly be recognizedin error as the central mark 40a. To avoid such an error, a negativefeed sensor S3, shown in FIG. 14, for detecting the distance by whichthe photographic film 1 is fed is associated with the film feed motorM1, and the distance by which the photographic film 1 is fed is measuredby a counter 65 whose count is fed back to the microprocessor 64. Sincethe width of the frame size indicator 12a on the photographic film 1 canbe detected by the distance by which the photographic film 1 is driven,the frame size indicator 12a can be distinguished from the central mark40a or the frame number 41a.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 16A-16B, theautomatic printer according to the present invention has a film drivecontrol device 65, 64, M1 for detecting an effective exposure areaposition indicator 40a recorded in a marginal edge area between theeffective exposure area 20 on the photographic film 1 and the marginaledge thereof to control the driving of the photographic film 1, and aprinting opening width control device 54, 64, M2 for detecting aneffective exposure area width indicator 12a recorded in the marginaledge area to control the width of the printing opening along thephotographic film 1.

The photographic film 1 has an effective exposure area positionindicator 40a and an effective exposure area width indicator 12a whichare recorded in a marginal edge area between the effective exposure area20 on the photographic film 1 and the marginal edge thereof. After theeffective exposure area width indicator 12a has been detected, theeffective exposure area position indicator 40a is detected. The width ofthe film exposure opening along the photographic film 1, the width ofthe print paper exposure opening, and the distance by which the printpaper 46 is driven are controlled based on the detected effectiveexposure area width indicator 12a, and the distance by which thephotographic film 1 is fed is controlled based on the detected effectiveexposure area position indicator 40a.

Therefore, since the distance by which the photographic film 1 is drivenis controlled based on the effective exposure area position indicator40a recorded in the marginal edge area of the photographic film 1 andthe width of the printing opening, the width of the print paper exposureopening and the distance over which the print paper 46 is driven arecontrolled based on the effective exposure area width indicator 12arecorded in the marginal edge area of the photographic film 1, thephotographic film 1 can automatically be printed even if it has asuccession of frames of different sizes.

In the illustrated photographic camera, the LED 5a and the photodetector5b are disposed in confronting relationship to each other for detectingthe film position detecting holes 19, however, as shown in FIGS. 20 and21, a photocoupler 66, which is an integral combination of an LED and aphotodetector for detecting a film position, may be disposed on a filmguide 30. The photocoupler 66 may be positioned anywhere on the filmguide 30. The photocoupler 66 may have LEDs 41, 40, as shown in FIG. 5,for recording the frame number 41a and the central mark 40a at the sametime that the frame is exposed.

While the hole sensor 5 comprises an LED and a photodetector in theillustrated photographic camera, the hole sensor 5 may comprise twopairs of an LED and a photodetector given the different distances bywhich frames of different sizes are fed.

In the illustrated automatic printer, the same photographic film containframes of different sizes, however, the present invention is alsoapplicable to an automatic printer for automatically printing a splicedlength of photographic films with different frame sizes.

The present invention uses an exposure control signal magnetically oroptically recorded between an edge of the photographic film and aneffective exposure area of the photographic film. This signal can beused not only by the processor but also by the user, and the user canprint by a simple printer system according to the present invention.This simple home system can be combined with a computer system or atelevision for display. Also, an exposure control signal of the presentinvention may include an auxiliary signal for controlling a printersystem or indicating certain features to the user. Thus, the presentinvention as described above can be used for many applications becauseit avoids using the punched in notch required in previously proposedsystems.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with referenceto the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to those precise embodiments and various changes andmodifications could be effected by one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present invention, as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photographic system comprising:a photographiccamera includinga camera body, a first housing disposed in the camerabody for housing photographic film in a photographic film cartridge, asecond housing disposed in the camera body for housing the photographicfilm drawn from the photographic film cartridge, film drive meansdisposed in the camera body for driving the photographic film betweenthe first and second housings, control means disposed in the camera bodyincluding a micro-computer electrically connected to a selector switchoperable by a user for receiving a selection signal from the selectorswitch and controlling an aspect of an effective area of thephotographic film drawn from the photographic film cartridge, andrecording means disposed in the camera body and responsive to themicro-computer for magnetically recording at least an aspect signalbetween an edge of the photographic film and the effective area of thephotographic film that indicates the aspect of the effective area wherean exposed area on the photographic film is to be printed onphotosensitive print paper; and a photographic film printer for printingon photosensitive print paper processed photographic film recorded usingthe photographic camera, the printer includinga printer body, a lightsource and variable width mask for exposing the photosensitive printpaper, detecting means disposed on the printer body for detecting theaspect signal magnetically recorded between the edge of the photographicfilm and the effective area of the photographic film by the photographiccamera, processed photographic film drive control means disposed on theprinter body for controlling driving of the processed photographic film,logic circuit means for determining if the aspect signal detected by thedetecting means corresponds to a first aspect format or a second aspectformat, and printing means disposed on the printer body for varying anopening width of the variable width mask used to expose an image of asubject in the effective area of the photographic film onto thephotosensitive print paper depending on the format determined by thelogic circuit means.
 2. A photographic system according to claim 1,wherein the control means includes means for varying the aspect of theeffective area of the photographic film along a direction in which thephotographic film is driven by the film drive means.
 3. A photographicsystem according to claim 1, wherein the recording means includes meansfor generating an exposure area position signal and the aspect signal,and wherein the processed photographic film drive control means includesmeans for controlling driving of the photographic film in response todetecting the exposure area position signal, and the printing meansincludes means for varying the opening width of the variable width maskin response to detecting the aspect signal.
 4. A photographic systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the means for varying the aspect includesleft and right movable masks mounted on the camera body for respectivemovement in the direction of film drive and opposite to that direction.5. A photographic system according to claim 4, wherein the means forvarying further includes linear gear elements affixed to ends of theleft and right movable masks cooperating with respective rotary gearsand motor means for rotating the rotary gears to drive the linear gearelements.
 6. A photographic system according to claim 5, wherein theselector switch includes a frame signal setting switch for selecting atleast two exposure area aspects, and wherein the motor means includes astepper motor driver for driving the left and right movable masks to atleast two predetermined positions corresponding to the at least twoexposure area aspects.
 7. A photographic system according to claim 1,wherein one of the first aspect format and the second aspect formatincludes a HDTV format having an aspect ratio of 9:16.
 8. A photographicsystem according to claim 1, wherein the photographic film printerfurther comprises a film feed sensor for detecting a distance theprocessed photographic film is driven by the film drive control means,and the logic circuit means receives an output from the film feed sensorfor determining that the detecting means correctly detected the aspectsignal recorded on the processed photographic film.
 9. A photographiccamera comprising:a first housing for housing a photographic filmcartridge containing a photographic film strip.Iadd., the photographicfilm strip having film positioning holes in a first marginal areathereof.Iaddend.; a second housing for housing a photographic film stripdrawn from the cartridge; film feed means for feeding the photographicfilm strip between the first and second housings; control meansincluding a microcomputer electrically connected to a selector switchoperable by a user .[.for controlling an aspect of an effective area onthe photographic film strip,.]..Iadd.; .Iaddend.and.[.;.]. recordingmeans responsive to the micro-computer for magnetically recording.Iadd.information input by the user, the information including.Iaddend.an aspect signal .Iadd.recorded in a second marginal area ofthe photographic film strip opposite the first marginal area and.Iaddend.between an edge of the photographic film strip and theeffective area of the photographic film strip, the aspect signal.Iadd.corresponding to one of a plurality of aspect formats.Iaddend.indicating the aspect of the effective area .[.where an exposedarea on the photographic film is.]. to be printed on photosensitiveprint paper.Iadd., wherein the first marginal area has film informationpre-recorded thereon, and the plurality of aspect formats includes aformat in which the aspect ratio of the effective area is 9:16 and asize of the effective area is 16.9 mm×30 mm, the 30 mm extending acrossa width of the film strip.Iaddend..
 10. A photographic camera accordingto claim 9 wherein the control means includes means for varying theaspect of the effective area of the photographic film along a directionin which the photographic film strip is fed by the film feed means. 11.A photographic camera according to claim 9, wherein the recording meansincludes means for producing the aspect signal that indicates the aspectof the effective area.
 12. A photographic camera according to claim 11,wherein the recording means further includes means for producing anexposure area position indicating signal and an exposure area numberindicating signal.
 13. A photographic camera according to claim 10,wherein the means for varying an aspect includes left and right movablemasks mounted on the camera body for respective movement in a directionof film drive and opposite to that direction.
 14. A photographic cameraaccording to claim 13, wherein the means for varying further includeslinear gear elements affixed to ends of the left and right movable maskscooperating with respective rotary gears and motor means for rotatingthe rotary gears to drive the linear gear elements.
 15. A photographiccamera according to claim 9, wherein the recording means furtherincludes means for producing information that is entered through aninput device and recording the information in a marginal area on a sideof the photographic film opposite to a side in which a film positiondetecting hole is formed.
 16. A photographic camera according to claim9, wherein the selector switch selects from .[.at least two aspectformats including a first aspect format and a second aspect format, andone of the at least two aspect formats includes a HDTV format having anaspect ratio of 16:9.]. .Iadd.the plurality of aspect formats includinga format in which the aspect ratio of the effective area is 3:4 and thesize of the effective area is 22.5 mm×30 mm.Iaddend..
 17. A photographiccamera comprising:a camera body; a first housing disposed in the camerabody for housing a photographic film cartridge containing a photographicfilm strip; a second housing disposed in the camera body for housing thephotographic film strip drawn from the photographic film cartridge; filmfeed means disposed in the camera body for feeding the photographic filmstrip between the first and second housings; exposure means disposed inthe camera body for varying an aspect of an effective area where anexposed area on the photographic film is to be printed on photosensitivepaper in a direction in which the photographic film strip is fed by thefilm feed means between the first and second housings; control meansdisposed in the camera body for controlling the film feed means to feedthe photographic film strip for a length corresponding to an increase inthe aspect of the effective area at least when the effective area isincreased so that effective areas of different aspects may coexist onthe photographic film strip; and recording means disposed in the camerabody for magnetically recording an aspect signal along an edge of thephotographic film for indicating the aspect of the effective area.
 18. Aphotographic film printer comprising:a printer body; detecting meansdisposed on the printer body for detecting picture aspect informationmagnetically recorded on the photographic film in a marginal areabetween an edge of the photographic film and an effective area of thephotographic film, wherein the picture aspect information indicates anaspect ratio of an exposure area on the photographic film to be printedon photosensitive paper; film feed means disposed on the printer bodyfor feeding the photographic film; logic circuit means for determiningif the detected picture aspect information is of a predetermined printformat; and printing means disposed on the printer body for varying anopening width of a mask which is used to print an image of a subjectfrom the exposure area of the photographic film onto the photosensitiveprint paper depending on the determined print format, wherein thepicture aspect information is recorded in a marginal area of thephotographic film between an edge of the photographic film and theexposure area of the photographic film, and the picture aspectinformation includes one of at least a HDTV format aspect ratio and aNTSC format aspect ratio.
 19. A photographic film printer according toclaim 18, whereinthe detecting means non-mechanically detects anexposure area position signal arranged in the marginal area, the filmfeed means includes means for feeding the photographic film depending onthe exposure area position signal, and the printing means includes meansfor varying the opening width of the mask based on the picture aspectinformation.
 20. A photographic film printer according to claim 18,wherein the printing means includes means for feeding the photosensitiveprint paper for a length corresponding to an increase in the openingwidth at least when the opening width is increased.
 21. A photographicfilm printer according to claim 18, further comprising a film feedsensor for detecting a distance the photographic film is fedindependently of detecting the picture aspect information, and wherein alogic circuit means receives an output of the film feed sensor anddetermines whether the detecting means correctly detected the pictureaspect information. .[.
 22. A photographic camera comprising:a camerabody; a first housing disposed in the camera body for housing aphotographic film cartridge containing a photographic film strip; asecond housing disposed in the camera body for housing the photographicfilm strip drawn from the photographic film cartridge; film feed meansdisposed in the camera body for feeding the photographic film stripbetween the first and second housings; control means including amicro-computer, the control means electrically connected to a selectorswitch operable by a user for receiving a selection signal from theselector switch and for controlling an aspect of an effective area ofthe photographic film strip where an exposed area on the photographicfilm strip is to be printed on photosensitive print paper; and recordingmeans disposed in the camera body for electrically receiving an aspectsignal from the control means and for recording the aspect signalbetween an edge of the photographic film strip and an effective exposurearea of the photographic film strip, the aspect signal indicating theaspect of the effective area of the photographic film strip, wherein thephotographic film strip is devoid of any sprocket holes..]..[.
 23. Aphotographic camera according to claim 22, wherein the recording meansfurther includes means for producing an exposure conditionsignal..]..[.24. A photographic camera according to claim 22, whereinthe recording means further includes means for producing inputinformation input by a user using an input device and for recording theinput information in a marginal area of the photographic film strip thatis devoid of any sprocket holes..]..[.25. A photographic cameracomprising:a camera body; a first housing disposed in the camera bodyfor housing a strip of photographic film; a second housing disposed inthe camera body for housing the photographic film drawn from the firsthousing; film feed means disposed in the camera body for feeding thephotographic film between the first and second housings; control meansincluding a selector switch operable by a user for controlling an aspectof an effective area of the photographic film where an exposed area ofthe photographic film is to be printed on photosensitive print paperdepending on a signal from the selector switch; and recording meansdisposed in the camera body for electrically receiving the signal thatindicates the aspect of the effect area of the photographic film fromthe control means and for recording the signal between an edge of thephotographic film and an effective exposure area of the photographicfilm, the photographic film being devoid of any sprocket holes..].26. Aphotographic film printer system comprising:a printer body; first meansdisposed on the printer body for generating a position control signal inresponse to an exposure position control signal magnetically recorded ona photographic film; second means disposed on the printer body forgenerating a print size control signal in response to picture aspectinformation magnetically recorded on the photographic film; film feedcontrol means disposed on the printer body for controlling feeding ofthe photographic film based on the position control signal generated bythe first means; and printing means disposed on the printer body varyingan opening width of a mask used to print an image of a subject in anexposure area of the photographic film on photographic print paper basedon the print size control signal generated by the second means, whereinthe exposure position control signal and the picture aspect informationare magnetically recorded within a marginal area of the photographicfilm between an edge of the photographic film and the exposure area ofthe photographic film.
 27. A photographic film printer system accordingto claim 26, wherein the first and second means respectively includefirst and second magnetic sensing means arranged on the printer body inalignment with the marginal area of the photographic film.
 28. Aphotographic film printer system according to claim 26, wherein theprinting means includes print paper feeding means for feeding thephotographic print paper, and wherein the mask is arranged to correlatewith a path of the photographic print paper fed by the print paperfeeding means.
 29. A photographic film printer system according to claim26, further comprising opening width control means for varying anopening width of a slit aligned with a path of the photographic film,the opening width of the slit being controlled in response to the printsize control signal.
 30. A method for printing an image from processedphotographic film onto photographic print paper, the methodcomprising:feeding the processed photographic film in a predetermineddirection; magnetically detecting picture aspect information recorded onthe processed photographic film; detecting film information pre-recordedon the processed photographic film; determining whether the pictureaspect information is correct; determining if an aspect ratio of apicture to be printed is of a first or a second frame format dependingon the detected picture aspect information; .[.and.]. varying an openingwidth of a mask used to print the image from an exposure area of theprocessed photographic film onto the print paper depending on thedetermined frame format.Iadd.; and printing the image from the exposurearea of the processed photographic film onto the photographic printpaper based on the detected film information.Iaddend., wherein thepicture aspect information is magnetically recorded within a .Iadd.first.Iaddend.marginal area of the processed photographic film along an edgeof the processed photographic film.Iadd., and the pre-recorded filminformation is recorded within a second marginal area opposite the firstmarginal area.Iaddend..
 31. A method for printing an image according toclaim 30, wherein the picture aspect information is detected midway inthe feeding of the processed photographic film.
 32. A method forprinting an image according to claim 30, further comprisingdetecting thefeeding of the processed photographic film, and determining if thepicture aspect information is correct or incorrect depending on thedetected feeding of the processed photographic film.
 33. A method forprinting an image according to claim 30, wherein one of the first andsecond frame formats has an HDTV format type aspect ratio. . A methodfor printing an image according to claim 33, wherein the HDTV formattype aspect ratio is 16:9.
 35. A method for printing an image accordingto claim 30, wherein the step of varying includes:a process to vary theopening width of the mask to a first frame size or a second frame sizedepending on the determined frame format, and one of the first andsecond frame sizes has a dimension of 158 mm×89 mm.
 36. A photographicfilm printer comprising:a printer body; detecting means disposed on theprinter body for magnetically detecting picture aspect informationrecorded on photographic film when an exposure is made, the pictureaspect information indicating an aspect ratio of an exposure area on thephotographic film to be printed on photographic print paper; film feedmeans disposed on the printer body for feeding the photographic film;logic circuit means disposed on the printer body for determining if theaspect ratio is of a first or a second frame format depending on thepicture aspect information; and printing means disposed on the printerbody for varying an opening width of a mask used to print an image of asubject from an exposure area of the photographic film onto thephotographic print paper depending on the determined frame format,wherein the picture aspect information is recorded within a marginalarea of the photographic film along an edge of the photographic film,.[.and.]. at least one of the first and said second frame formats has anHDTV format type aspect ratio.Iadd., and the logic circuit meansdetermines if the picture aspect ratio information is correct orincorrect depending on film feed information received from the film feedmeans.Iaddend..
 37. A photographic film printer according to claim 36,wherein the printing means varies the opening width of the mask to afirst frame size or a second frame size depending on the determinedframe format, and one of the first and said second frame sizes has adimension of 158 mm×89 mm.
 38. A photographic film printer according toclaim 36, wherein the HDTV format type aspect ratio is 16:9.
 39. Aphotographic film printer according to claim 36, wherein the printingmeans varies the opening width of the mask along a film feed direction..[.40. A photographic film printer according to claim 36, wherein thefilm feed means includes a film feed detector for detecting feeding ofthe photographic film, and the logic circuit means determines if thepicture aspect ratio information is correct or incorrect depending onfilm feed information received from the film feed detector..].41. Aphotographic film printer according to claim 36, wherein the logiccircuit means has at least two items of type-size information related tothe picture aspect information, the type-size information being used tocontrol the printing means to vary the opening width of the mask.
 42. Aphotographic film printing system comprising:film feeding means forfeeding a processed photographed film in a first predetermineddirection; paper feeding means for feeding photographic print paper in asecond predetermined direction, said processed photographic film havingan effective exposure area and a marginal area between the effectiveexposure area and an edge of the processed photographic film, whereinthe marginal area has .[.arranged.]. .Iadd.recorded .Iaddend.thereon afilm position detecting signal and picture aspect information relatingto the effective exposure area for each frame of the processedphotographic film, .Iadd.the film position detecting signal beingoptically or magnetically recorded, and .Iaddend.the picture aspectinformation being magnetically recorded; detecting means disposed alonga path of the processed photographic film fed by the film feeding meansfor magnetically detecting a picture aspect information; film feedcontrol means for controlling the film feeding means so as to stop theprocessed photographic film at predetermined positions; and mask meanshaving a variable opening width thereof used to print an image of asubject from the effective exposure area of the processed photographicfilm onto the photographic print paper, the opening width of the maskbeing controlled in response to the picture aspect information detectedby the detecting means.
 43. A photographic film printing systemaccording to claim 42, further comprising variable opening slit meansdisposed along the path of the processed photographic film fed by thefilm feeding means, an opening width thereof being determined inresponse to the picture aspect information detected by the detectingmeans.
 44. A photographic film printing system according to claim 42,wherein the picture aspect information corresponds to at least an HDTVformat type aspect ratio or a NTSC format type aspect ratio, and theopening width of the mask means corresponds to at least the HDTV formattype aspect ratio or the NTSC format type aspect ratio.
 45. Aphotographic film printer comprising:detecting means for magneticallydetecting picture aspect information recorded .[.on.]. .Iadd.in.Iaddend.a marginal edge area of a photographic film; .[.and.]..Iadd.means for determining whether the picture aspect informationdetected by the detecting means is correct; and .Iaddend. printingformat changing means for automatically changing a photographic areaaspect according to the picture aspect information detected by thedetecting means .Iadd.when the picture aspect information is determinedto be correct.Iaddend., wherein the photographic area aspect is one ofat least .[.an.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.HDTV format type aspect ratio and aNTSC format type aspect ratio.
 46. A photographic film printer accordingto claim 45, wherein the picture aspect information indicates one of atleast the HDTV format type aspect ratio or the NTSC format type aspectratio.
 47. A photographic film printer according to claim 46, whereinthe print format changing means includes movable masks for the processedphotographic film or for photographic print paper.
 48. A photographicfilm printer according to claim 45, wherein the HDTV format type aspectratio is 16:9.
 49. A photographic film printer according to claim 45,wherein the NTSC format type aspect ratio is 3:4.
 50. A photographicfilm printer according to claim 45, wherein the picture aspectinformation is magnetically recorded on the photographic film, and thedetecting means magnetically detects the picture aspect information..Iadd.51. A photographic film printer according to claim 45, wherein thephotographic area aspect has a maximum aspect ratio corresponding to theHDTV format type aspect ratio. .Iaddend..Iadd.52. A photographic filmprinter according to claim 45, whereinthe picture aspect information isrecorded in the marginal edge area between a first edge of thephotographic film and an exposure area of the photographic film, filminformation is recorded in the marginal edge area between the first edgeof the photographic film and the exposure area of the photographic film,and user input information is recorded in a second marginal edge areabetween a second edge of the photographic film and the exposure area ofthe photographic film, the second edge being opposite the first edge..Iaddend..Iadd.53. A photographic camera comprising:a first housing forhousing a photographic film cartridge containing a photographic filmstrip; a second housing for housing a photographic film strip drawn fromthe cartridge; film feed means for feeding the photographic film stripbetween the first and second housings; exposure means for exposing animage onto an exposure area of the photographic film strip, the exposurearea having a maximum size corresponding to a HDTV format size; controlmeans including a micro-computer electrically connected to a frame sizeselector switch operable by a user for controlling an aspect of aphotographic print to be produced from the exposed photographic filmstrip; and recording means responsive to a control signal output fromthe micro-computer for magnetically recording an aspect ratio signal ina first area between an edge of the photographic film strip and theexposure area of the photographic film strip, the aspect ratio signalcorresponding to one of a plurality of aspect formats indicating theaspect of the image to be printed on photosensitive print paper, whereinthe first area has optically pre-recorded thereon film information aboutthe film itself, and the plurality of aspect formats includes a formatin which the aspect has a ratio of 9:16 and a size of 16.9 mm×30 mm, the30 mm extending across a width of the film strip. .Iaddend..Iadd.54. Aphotographic film printer comprising: film feeding means for feeding aprocessed photographic film in a first predetermined direction; paperfeeding means for feeding a photographic print paper in a secondpredetermined direction, wherein the processed photographic film has afirst marginal area between a first edge of the processed photographicfilm and an effective exposure area of the processed photographic film,the first marginal area having arranged thereon a film positiondetecting signal for controlling the film feeding means; detecting meansdisposed along a path of the processed photographic film for detectingpicture aspect information magnetically recorded in a second marginalarea of the processed photographic film for controlling the paperfeeding means; film feed control means responsive to the film positiondetecting signal for stopping the processed photographic film atpredetermined positions, wherein the processed photographic film hasfilm information used to print the photographic film recorded in asecond marginal area between a second edge of the processed photographicfilm and the effective exposure area of the processed photographic film,and the second marginal area is located opposite the first marginalarea; and mask means used to print the image from the processedphotographic film onto the photographic print paper, the mask meanshaving a variable opening width controlled in response to the pictureaspect information detected by the detecting means. .Iaddend..Iadd.55. Aphotographic system comprising:a photographic camera includinga firsthousing for housing a photographic film cartridge containing aphotographic film strip, the photographic film strip having filmpositioning holes in a first marginal area thereof, a second housing forhousing a photographic film strip drawn from the cartridge, film feedmeans for feeding the photographic film strip between the first andsecond housings, control means including a micro-computer electricallyconnected to a selector switch operable by a user, and recording meansresponsive to the micro-computer for magnetically recording informationinput by the user, the information including an aspect signal recordedin a second marginal area of the photographic film strip opposite thefirst marginal area and between an edge of the photographic film stripand the effective area of the photographic film strip, the aspect signalindicating the aspect of the effective area to be printed onphotosensitive print paper, wherein the second marginal area has filminformation pre-recorded thereon; and a photographic printerincludingdetecting means for magnetically detecting the aspect signalrecorded in the second marginal area of a photographic film, means fordetermining whether the aspect signal detected by the detecting means iscorrect, and printing format changing means for automatically changing aphotographic area aspect according to the aspect signal detected by thedetecting means when the aspect signal is determined to be correct,wherein the photographic area aspect is one of at least a HDTV formattype aspect ratio and a NTSC format type aspect ratio..Iaddend..Iadd.56. A photographic system comprising:a photographiccamera includinga first housing for housing a photographic filmcartridge containing a photographic film strip, the photographic filmstrip having film positioning holes in a first marginal area thereof, asecond housing for housing a photographic film strip drawn from thecartridge, film feed means for feeding the photographic film stripbetween the first and second housings, control means including amicro-computer electrically connected to a selector switch operable by auser, and recording means responsive to the micro-computer formagnetically recording information input by the user, the informationincluding an aspect signal recorded in a second marginal area of thephotographic film strip opposite the first marginal area and between anedge of the photographic film strip and the effective area of thephotographic film strip, the aspect signal indicating the aspect of theeffective area to be printed on photosensitive print paper, wherein thesecond marginal area has film information pre-recorded thereon; and aphotographic printer includingfilm feeding means for feeding a processedphotographic film in a first predetermined direction; and paper feedingmeans for feeding a photographic print paper in a second predetermineddirection, wherein the processed photographic film has the filmpositioning holes located in the first marginal area for controlling thefilm feeding means, and the processed photographic film has the aspectsignal recorded in the second marginal area for controlling the paperfeeding means. .Iaddend..Iadd.57. A photographic printing methodcomprising the steps of: magnetically detecting picture aspectinformation recorded in a marginal edge area of a photographic film;determining whether the magnetically detected picture aspect ratioinformation is correct; and changing a photographic area aspectaccording to the magnetically detected picture aspect information whenthe picture aspect ratio information is determined to be correct..Iaddend.